Canon unveils three RF mount telephoto lenses

The new RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM lens, the first AF macro lens for full frame mirrorless cameras capable of 1.4x magnification. (Source: Canon.)

The new additions will bring the RF mount total to 22 lenses. The RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM lens includes a number of innovative features, the most noteworthy of which is the new spherical aberration (SA) control ring, which allows users to adjust the bokeh rendering to suit the subject. Adjustments range from imparting a soft focus effect with smooth background highlights to a having bright background highlights appear as relatively sharp circles. Built-in image stabilisation provides up to five stops of shake correction or up to eight stops of Coordinated Control IS when the lens is used on a camera with sensor-shift stabilisation, such as the EOS R5 or R6. The f/2.8 maximum aperture with 9 diaphragm blades gives shallow depth of field and attractive bokeh, which is useful for portraiture.

Autofocusing is driven by dual Nano USM motors, which operate at high speed and almost silently and with minimal focus breathing, making it ideal for videography. The new 100mm lens will also focus to within 26 cm of subjects where it delivers 1.4x magnification or 28 cm for 1:1 life-size reproduction. This is made possible through use of floating focus elements and short back focusing. Up to 1.37x magnification can be obtained by attaching the EF25 II extension tube.

The optical design of the RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM lens consists of 17 elements in 13 groups. It is 148 mm long with a diameter of 81.6 mm, weighs 730 grams and accepts 67 mm diameter filters. It is supplied with the ET-73C cylindrical lens hood plus end caps and an LP1222 soft carrying pouch. Click here for more information.

The new RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lenses are based, respectively, on the ground-breaking EF 400mm f/2.8L IS III USM and EF 600mm f/4L III USM lenses, which have been popular with professional sports and wildlife photographers. Both lenses feature the same heat shield coatings to prevent interior temperature rises that could disrupt light transmission. While the optics and mechanics of the lenses are largely the same as the EF versions, the new RF-mount super telephoto lenses take full advantage of Canon’s revolutionary EOS R System and RF Mount. Enabling 1/8th stop aperture control for video and enhanced optical IS they deliver ultra-high optical performance, speedy focusing, reduced weight and improved balance when used with an EOS R System camera. Both lenses can be used with the 1.4x and 2x RF extenders.

Both lenses support a double power drive method for faster AF with current and future R-System interchangeable lens cameras, enabling users to capture distant, fast moving action as it happens. Both lenses also feature three manual-focus speeds that enable precise control and full-time manual focus, allowing adjustments to be made without switching modes. Users can store two focus pre-sets for quick recall, saving time when fast reactions are required and enabling them to pull focus when shooting video. The focus ring can also be used as a control ring with some EOS R series bodies.

Angled view of the RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM lens, shown without the supplied lens hood. (Source: Canon.)

The optical design of the RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM lens consists of 17 elements in 13 groups and includes two fluorite and one Super UD elements plus ASC and Super Spectra coatings. At the minimum focus of 2.5 metres it achieves 0.17x magnification. Built-in stabilisation offers up to 5.5 stops of shake correction when used with the EOS R or R5, while nine diaphragm blades produce a circular aperture for smooth bokeh. Weighing 2.89 kilograms, the RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM lens is 367 mm long with a diameter of 163 mm. It is supplied with the ET-155 (WIII) lens hood, the 52 (WIII) drop-in screw filter holder, a tripod mount, end caps and the LS400 lens pouch. Click here for more information.

Angled view of the RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens, shown with the supplied lens hood fitted. (Source: Canon.)

The optical design of the RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens consists of 17 elements in 13 groups with two fluorite and one Super UD elements plus ASC and Super Spectra coatings. It shares the 400mm lens’s benefits of edge-to-edge sharpness plus minimised distortion and flare – even at the l f/4 maximum aperture. At the minimum focus of 4.2 metres it achieves 0.15x of magnification. Built-in stabilisation offers up to 5.5 stops of shake correction when this lens is used with the EOS R or R5 cameras, while nine diaphragm blades produce a circular aperture for smooth bokeh. Weighing 3.09 kilograms, the RF 600mm f/4L IS USM lens is 472 mm long with a diameter of 168 mm. It is supplied with the ET-160 (WIII) lens hood, the 52 (WIII) drop-in screw filter holder, a tripod mount, end caps and the LS600 lens pouch. Click here for full details.

The RF 100mm f/2.8L MACRO IS USM will be available from authorised local dealers from late July 2021. Pricing will be set at dealer discretion, with an RRP of AUD$2,599. The RF 400mm f/2.8L IS USM and RF 600mm f/4L IS USM will also be available from authorised local dealers from late July 2021, with RRPs of AUD$21,999 and AUD$23,999 respectively. All three lenses will be supported by Canon Australia’s 5-year warranty when purchased from an authorised Canon Australia reseller.